Sweetener plant trial delayed

A federal bankruptcy judge has delayed the civil trial of the former CEO of a failed artificial sweetener facility and his wife.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

A federal bankruptcy judge has delayed the civil trial of the former CEO of a failed artificial sweetener facility and his wife.Bruce and Nanette Cole are charged with improperly diverting cash from Mamtek US Inc. that was intended for the proposed plant in Moberly.The Columbia Daily Tribune reports the Coles are accused of receiving $1.4 million from a $39 million bond fund for the plant.Judge Dennis Dow on Tuesday postponed the trial, which was set to begin Feb. 25. The judge gave the Coles two weeks to respond to a request from the bankruptcy trustee for a summary judgment on some issues in the case.Bruce Cole is being held in Randolph County jail on criminal charges related to the collapse of the Mamtek deal.